Lord Ganesh ~ MBA

Master of Buddhi and Achievement

Lord Ganesh ~ A God with an elephant head and big body riding a mouse. Sounds
paradoxical and illogical? It may not be so absurd if we understand the hidden
symbolism in Ganeshs image.
Of all deities in the Hindu pantheon Lord Ganesh is worshipped first and foremost
(Prathama) in any ceremony, worship and even before starting any rituals for other
deities. The images of Lord Ganesh is all-pervading right from the sculptures in 5,000
year old ancient temples including monuments in other parts of Asia to T-shirts, craft
mels, wedding cards, invitations and even the popular Indian cinema. Nothing in the
Hindu world begins without invoking the beloved elephant-headed God.
Symbolism of Lord Ganesh
Lord Ganesh's image is a composite of elephant head and man, traditionally mounted
on a mouse with four arms. Without guidance from Gurus, the hidden and main
symbolism of Ganeshas image seems difficult to comprehend and may appear absurd.
Though there are many symbolic interpretations, to the devoted seeker every part of his
image is symbolic in the path of true wisdom.
According to many masters in the knowledge tradition of Hinduism, Lord Ganeshs
large elephant head is symbolic of mighty understanding that is required to pursue the
highest path of knowledge. The trunk of Lord Ganesh symbolizes the intellect which
discriminates fully to resolve gross problems in the inside & outside world. His large
mouth and big belly represents wide appetite for life digesting all that life has to offer.
His ears represent continuous and intelligent listening to the teacher as he himself
listened to Veda Vysa and understood it fully while scribing the Mahbharata. He has
only one tusk, with the other broken off indicating the pursuit of going beyond the pairs of
opposites ~ likes and dislikes.
His four hands represent the four inner faculties we have. In one hand he has rope, in
another an axe. With the axe, he cuts off the attachments of his devotes to the limited,
binding world and with a rope he pulls them nearer to truth and ties them to the highest
goal. In his third hand he holds a modaka representing the reward of disciplined practice
and with the other hand in the abhaya (fearless) mudra he offers protection on a
person's journey through life, especially the spiritual one.
We also find a mouse bowing down close by in the midst of sweet food yet looking up at
the Lord. This denotes the power of desire which is the mouse within each personality
which can eat away even mountain of merit in it. This power of desire is to be used for
doing service keep the vision of the Lord symbolized by looking up.
Ganeshs popular names
The name Ganesha is a Sanskrit mix of 2 words - gana, meaning a group, multitudes,
hosts and isha meaning lord. Also is his another popular name - Ganapati which is a
compound composed of gana meaning group, and pati, meaning "ruler" or "lord".

According to commentators, the word gana also means groups of sense organs, organs
of action, pancha pranas (the five vital airs or life forces) (the five vital life forces),
antahkarana (the four inner equipments of mind, intellect, memory and ego) the pancha
mahabhutas (the five elements in nature) etc. He is the master, and naturally guides and
leads them in the right direction. Vinyaka is a common name for Ganesh that appears
in the Puras and is reflected in the naming of the eight famous Ganesha temples in
Mahrshtra known as the Astavinyak temples.
Ganesh ~ the God of success
To the faithful, Lord Ganesh is the remover of obstacles, be it spiritual or material.
According to many Indian spiritual masters, the worship of Ganesh depicts the
commencement of man's spiritual journey with a form to its culmination in formless Godconsciousness.
Lord Ganesh is the God of success as he is associated with wisdom, understanding,
learning, forethought, power and overcoming obstacles (vighna) which are key
ingredients of material and spiritual success. As the remover of obstacles, he is invoked
at the start of every journey or important venture, marriage, religious rite, construction of
house or factory, house warming, studies etc.
Ganesha chaturthi marks the birth of the Lord Ganesh or Ganapati. This year it falls on
23rd August.
Invoking the grace of Lord Ganesh, may all our obstacles be removed in life by
Mastering our Buddhi for any Achievement. After all, our buddhi (intellect) is the most
important resource we have to discriminate and decide what is good for us and discover
the Ganesha within ourselves.
Wishing you a happy and auspicious Ganesh chaturthi.
Ganpati Bappa Morya. Pudcha varshi lavkar ya